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“Wow…” Perry repeated. “Just, wow…”
“Ummm… this is…” I stuttered. I was simply lost for words. I pushed Nico and he landed on his back, on my right side. I sat up but Nico stayed lying on the bed.
“This is exactly what it looks like.” Nico said with a proud grin on his lips.
“Hey…” I told Nico.
“What?” Nico replied with a smile.
“Three things.” Perry said as he stood by the door. “One; I was just downstairs, waiting, you know. Two; you could’ve locked the door. And three, the most important thing; I knew it!” He said.
“What? You knew it? What do you mean?” I was confused.
“I knew something is going on between the two of you. I mean, you’re a bad liar, you know.” Perry said. “You could’ve just told me about the two of you, in the first place. I’m not one to judge, you know.”
“Yeah, you could’ve just told him. I don’t mind, you know.” Nico said as he placed his right leg over my legs.
“Hey, what are you doing?” I complained as Nico pulled me down on the bed and placed his right arm over me and then pulled me closer to him.
“If you don’t mind, can you close the door and get lost.” Nico told Perry as he grinned. He’s acting really childish, it was like he was showing off how close he’s gotten to me. Well, I’m not really complaining though. I must say, I’m kind off liking the attention.
I tried getting away from Nico’s clutches, but he was cuddling me pretty tight. “Hey, let me go…” I complained weakly.
Nico chuckled. “It doesn’t seem to me that you wanted to be let go of.” He said proudly as he rested his head on top of mine.
“Can you stop that, both of you?” Perry said. “Sure, I have no problem with the two of you being together, but I don’t think I’m ready for any graphics yet.” He said.
Nico loosened his hug and I managed to get away and sat up. “Sorry…” I said, embarrassed. Nico sat back up and the put his arm around my shoulders instead. I sighed. It seems that Nico would never seize to be touchy as long as Perry is watching. He must still be jealous of Perry. “I think the two of you need to talk.” I said as I stood up.
“What for?” Nico ↑.
“To sort things out.” I replied. “I don’t think I can handle the two of you arguing all the time, I mean my plate is already full as it is.” There is the issue of my Dad being the new business partner of the Bellards, and there’s the issue of the lake and Brent’s insistence on getting to the bottom of it.
“I have no problem with him, he’s the one who’s got a problem with me.” Perry said.
“Yeah, but provoking him is not helping either.” I said as I walked passed Perry and pushed him inside the room. “I’ll prepare lunch, you can eat after you two sort things out.” I said and then closed the door.
Is that a good idea, leaving the two of them alone? What if they start fighting? Well, whatever…
Nico and Perry seized their bickering after that day, well, at least in front of me. I can’t say that they became friends, I could still feel that they don’t really like nor hate each other, but still it was an improvement.
Perry’s family picked him up in the afternoon, while Nico stayed until Mom got home. He said that he didn’t want to leave me all alone in that house, that he wouldn’t be able to stop worrying if he did. Hearing that made my heart swoon with joy.
Nico was very ecstatic when he finally got to meet Mom. He was very polite and Mom seemed to like him really well. That fact alone was enough to make me feel happy as well. Nico stayed for dinner, and although the food wasn’t that special, Nico seemed to really love my Mom’s cooking.
There’s always a joy that I find whenever my Mom likes a friend of mine. And that joy is multiplied a hundred times when I saw how much she seems to like the person I love.
I slept late that night, despite Nico saying that I should sleep early to get ready for school the next day. Brent called that night, and he was really excited to tell me the things he had found out.
It seems that the police didn’t even listened to the story about the anomaly that happened at the lake, they dismissed the story as something the boys made up, something that they saw because they were either high or drunk.
The boy that gone missing, the one that the lake “ate”, as Brent calls it, had simply drowned, because of intoxication. That’s what the police were saying.
“They kept on disregarding our stories, they kept on acting like they don’t believe us, but I know for a fact that they know we are right.” Brent said with conviction.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I heard this one policeman say that it happened again. When I asked him what he meant, he just scowled at me to go home.” Brent sighed. “I’m not going to stop there though.”
“Brent, obviously, the police doesn’t want you making things to be bigger than they are. Don’t get too deep into things, you might get in trouble.” I was worried. He always get overenthusiastic over things that he deems interesting.
“I know, I know. I won’t get into trouble, I promise. And if I need help, you’re the first person I’ll call.” Brent paused for a while. “I wish you were here, Kyle.” He sounded a bit sad. “We could investigate things together, like the old times.” Actually, the only reason I join his investigations was to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself or get himself into deep trouble, but yeah, I miss doing those things with him too. “I miss those days, Kyle… I miss…” He sighed deeply. “I miss you.”
I smiled at myself. “Me too. I miss my bestfriend too.” I said. “Don’t worry, I’ll come visit you during school break.”
“Then, I’ll look forward to that.”
The next morning brought a lot of unexpected things to me. Some were pleasant surprises, but some were accidents I would rather forget.
The very first thing that I noticed when I walked out the door was that very familiar blue convertible parked just in front of our driveway. The roof slowly opened as soon as I took a step towards it. “Good morning!” Nico greeted with a bright smile.
“What are you doing here?” I asked him.
“Really, I came all the way here early in the morning and that’s the first thing you’re going to say to me?” Nico complained.
I know, I know. I should’ve said good morning, showed a little more appreciation, or maybe even affection, but I was just really surprised to see him there, I mean I didn’t expect it at all.
“Sorry. Good morning.” I said to him in the sweetest voice I can come up with as I walked toward the car. “So, what are you doing here?”
Nico chuckled. “Isn’t it obvious? I came to pick you up.” He said as he stepped out of his car. He walked around it and then took my bag and toss it at the back seat. “Here you go.” He said as he opened the door for me.
“I’m not some girl who you need to open the door for, you know.” I said. “But, thanks anyway.” I added as I stepped inside the car.
“What now?” I asked as I noticed Nico staring at me as I put my seatbelt on.
“You have really no sense for romance…” He sighed. What is he talking about? Of course I have no sense of romance, I haven’t got any experience in the first place. “You should’ve waited for me to put it on for you.” He said. What the hell? That’s so cheesy. HE sure sounds like an expert. He must’ve done it with many girls before, for sure.
“I told you, I’m not a girl…” I complained.
“It’s not about that. Gender has nothing to do with it. It’s all about doing things for someone special.” Nico explained.
I blushed at his explanation. So I’m special to him… How good…
“Ahh right, before we forget.” He said and then leaned closer to me and gave me a peck on the cheek. “Good morning kiss.” He said cheerfully.
I turned my head to him in surprise, my cheeks became even redder. The part where his lips touched suddenly burned, it became warmer, hotter.
“Well, I would’ve kissed you on the lips, but we’re in front of your house and it’s still early in the morning.” Nico said. “We’ll save those kisses for later.” He said.
“Nico…” I said meekly. I was meaning to ask him if he was worried that someone might see us and that someone else might know what our relationship is, but I was afraid. I was afraid to hear that like me, he is scared. I guess, I wanted him to at least be the brave one. Don’t get me wrong I’m proud to have Nico by my side, I mean I got nothing to lose if anyone finds out, but to him it’s different; Nico has many things to lose. Besides, I’m not sure what our relationship really was either, since we haven’t talked about it yet.
“What’s wrong?” He asked as he got both of his hands on the steering wheel.
“Nothing…” I said and then sighed at my own cowardice. “Can we hold hands?” I asked instead. It was the very first brave move that I ever made. Just by saying those words, my heart raced and my whole body felt really weak. At that moment, all I wanted was to feel Nico’s touch, it was the only way for me to know that I wasn’t dreaming.
“Drew…” Nico said and then smiled. “Sure…” He said and then took my hand. Nico intertwined his fingers with mine and then squeezed my hand tightly before bringing it up to his lips. Slowly and sweetly, Nico kissed the back of my hand.
I never knew I could feel so happy with such a small gesture.
I never imagined Nico would hold my hand.
I never thought that I could be with him.
I never thought that I would be happy, being in love with another man.
I never imagined that being held by another boy, being kissed by another boy, being in love with another boy, could feel this satisfying, this fulfilling. I guess Nico is right, after all, gender is not an issue. It all boils down to what you feel. And for me, that is love.
A bright smile was fixed on my face the whole time Nico drove to school. When we entered the school premises, I was actually afraid that Nico would let go of my hand, but he didn’t. We held hands as long as we could before stepping out of the car and going inside the school.
My day started perfectly, I had no idea that the worst was yet to come.
There was a news that spread like wildfire in the campus that day. It seems that a new student transferred, and by what I heard, she’s a beautiful girl from a prominent family, and she’s in the same grade me as me.
At first, I really didn’t care too much about it, but I was about to know that I couldn’t really ignore it.
I was really excited for lunch that day, Nico and I promised to eat together at the same table, he said that I could eat with his friends that day, and then he’ll eat with mine the next day. I was really glad about that, but that plan never really came through that day.
My heart sunk when I stepped inside the cafeteria, Nico was with his friends and beside him was no other than the transferee, although he wasn’t really smiling at her, although he doesn’t seem to be really having fun with her, the mere sight of him being with that girl was enough to make me feel really hurt. It was enough to give my chest a squeezing pain.
I can accept it if he was being friendly with another girl, I would even come to accept it if he chooses to leave me for a girl, any girl, just not that one.
That girl seemed to be really making an effort to get Nico’s attention. I guess she’s exactly like her mother, they both really like stealing a man. No. Stay away from him, don’t touch him. Stay away from Nico.
“So the rumors are true.” Gale, Perry’s friend said. “The new girl and Nico Bellard really do know each other, and they quite look good together too.” She added. Hearing those words made me feel even worst. It was like someone just poured cold water on me.
“Kyle…” Perry said while looking at me. “Isn’t that…?”
“Yes…” I said in a weak tone. I saw Natalia held Nico’s arm and that sent a knife through my heart. My chest felt really heavy, anger was welling up inside of me. “I’m sorry, I lost my appetite.” Nico turned his head and saw me looking at his direction.
He looked surprised.
He looked really guilty.
I looked back at him, coldly.
Then I looked away.
Then I walked away.
Why is she here? Why is the daughter of the woman who destroyed my family here? What is she doing so close to Nico, to the man I love? Why? Why? She can’t be here, she can’t get close to Nico. This can’t be.
I felt lost at that moment. I just… I simply don’t know what I would feel. I don’t even know what’s really going on, but I felt so hurt. I guess I was afraid that I would end up like my Mom; that I would end up losing the man I love to a Robinson.
I ended up going in the school’s indoor pool. I sat on the bleachers as I watched the ceiling reflect on the calm waters. Looking at the water calmed me down a bit, it made me want to jump in.
“Drew…” I looked down at the bottom of the bleachers and saw Nico looking at me guiltily. “About a while ago…”
“Save it.” I said in a nonchalant manner. “I’m not in the mood to hear any explanation right now, so save it. Besides, it’s not like you have anything to explain.”
“Why are talking like that? Please, just listen to me.”
“I’m not a very good person, Nico. I hold a grudge, I’m unreasonable, and right now I’m very sensitive. It’s either you’re with me or against me. Which is it?” I asked in a serious tone. No, what am I saying? Why am I like this? Yes, I’m angry. I’m just so angry that I don’t know what’s going on in my own mind anymore.
“What’s wrong with you? This is not like you.” He’s right, I’m not being myself. My jealousy, my anger was taking over. I don’t even know what I was saying anymore.
“Then what am I supposed to do?! Ever since I met you, I started feeling things I never thought was possible, I’m not myself whenever I am with you. I get flustered, I get nervous, I get paranoid, I get so happy, and seeing that girl with you gets me really angry. My whole mind is in chaos because of you!”
“Don’t you think I’m going through the same thing?” Nico replied, calmly. “Before I met you, kissing another guys was unimaginable to me, it was something that I would and could never do or even think about, but now all I could think about is kissing you, feeling your lips against mine, touching you, holding you, all I can think about is you.” He said.
“Nico, what are we? What exactly is our relationship right now?” I asked.
“Why do you even have to ask that? After everything we did…”
“Because you’re not saying anything. This whole time, it was only me who kept on repeating that I like you, but I never hear anything in reply from you. You’re not saying anything, that’s why I don’t where we are right now, that’s why I’m very afraid that I could easily lose you… like how I lost my Dad.” I said as my eyes started welling up.
Nico looked at me with wide eyes. “I’m sorry… it’s all my fault. It’s my fault why you’re feeling that way, why you’re acting that way, because I’m such a coward. I’m sorry, all this time I’ve been unclear.” He said as he walked towards me. “I was afraid, Drew. This is the first time that I ever look at another man this way.”
“Don’t come closer.” I said. “If you come closer, then I would lose my train of thoughts again, then I would be swept up by you once again. I won’t let you sway my emotions right now.”
“Then I’ll stay here.” Nico said. “I won’t touch you, but you must listen to me. Drew, why do you think I kissed you?” He asked, rhetorically. “It’s because I like you, Drew. I like you. I really, really like you. I like you.”
My heart stopped.
Everything around me seemed to be in slow motion.
My cheeks felt hot.
There were butterflies in my stomach.
I felt so happy.
So happy that tears just started to fall from my eyes.
I couldn’t move from my seat, I felt so weak at that moment. The happiness I felt at that moment was beyond my imagination. Great relief came to me. Somehow, all the worries I felt before were slowly being washed away by those words.
Nico likes me. He likes me. It may be different from what I really wanted, but at least it was one step closer.
“Drew, I haven’t asked this before, but can you go out with me?” Nico asked.
“Yes…” I replied meekly.
Nico smiled brightly as he walked closer to me and then squatted down in front of me.. “Don’t cry.” He said as he wiped my tears away with his thumbs. “A smile suits you better.” He said and then caressed my cheeks gently.
Nico’s hands were still on my cheeks when I touched it. His hands were so warm, it felt so comfortable.
“So, does this mean you’re not angry with me anymore?” Nico asked with a smile.
“Are you going to keep on hanging around that girl?” I asked.
“I’ll do whatever you want me to. If you want me to stay away from her, I will, but I want you to know that I really didn’t want to be with her. My Dad called and asked me to show her around, I told him that I can’t but then he asked me why, I couldn’t really say that it’s because of you, so I ended up being forced to do it.” He explained.
“I hate seeing you anywhere near her.” I told him honestly.
“Then I won’t go anywhere near her.” He said and then stepped closer to me.
“That would be better.” I said and then gave him a small smile.
Nico smiled back at me before leaning in closer. I thought he would give me a kiss, and quite frankly I was afraid that someone might see, but instead, Nico gave me a peck on the forehead.
Finally, I was sure of what Nico and I were. We’re dating, exclusively dating. I actually like that, I like that we’re both taking things slow, – although I can’t really say that kissing when you’re still in the phase of dating is taking it slow – it was much more easier for me to take in. After all, it was my very first experience in romance.
I was really fortunate not to cross path with Natalia Robinsons that day. If we have met that day, I am pretty that all hell would break lose. Nico kept his promise, he stayed away from Natalia, and he did it in a very sly way; he did it in a manner where nobody really noticed that he’s avoiding her.
I thought that everything would go back to normal, but the worst was yet to come.
Nico drove me to the flower shop after school. It was over a week since I last helped in the shop, and I honestly missed it. Nico wanted to help as well, and I said yes. He was really excited about it.
The moment I saw the front of the flower shop, I knew that something was odd. There was a growing suspicion in my head, and I couldn’t quite stop myself from worrying. As it turns out, I was right to be suspicious. The inside of the shop was a mess, there were flowers on the floor, pieces of broken vases everywhere, the whole placed looked like it was robbed.
I saw my Mom with our store helper on one corner, cleaning up the mess. “Mom, what happened here?” I asked as I approached her.
“Drew!” She was surprised to see me. It was clear that she didn’t expect me to be there that time. “This is nothing, go home for now.” She said.
“This is not nothing, Mom.” I said firmly. “What happened here? Who did this?”
“Drew, I can handle this.” My Mom insisted in a very firm tone, she looked at me with that calm and yet piercing eyes. I knew better than to force her to tell me what really happened.
“Fine, at least let me help clean up this mess.” I said. “I’m sorry that you have to see the shop like this.” I told Nico.
“It’s fine.” Nico said and the held my shoulder. “What can I do to help?” Nico asked.
I looked around and saw the pieces of glass everywhere. I can’t ask him to pick up the flowers, he would just end up cutting himself with the shards. “Mmm… let’s see… I’ll get the broom and dustpan, you can sweep the glass shards after I pick up the flowers.”
I was about to go inside the storage when I saw a crumpled piece of paper on the floor. I picked it up and soon realized that it was a check. I was really confused when I saw the check. What was it doing on the floor? Why was it crumpled?
All of those questions were answered when I opened the paper. The check was for a Million, and the sign on it was very familiar. It was not the first time that witch try to do something like that. When she and her daughter came to our old home, adding to the insult they said, they tried to bribe us with the same amount to stay away from Dad. Mom only teared the check and then threw it in front of them.
Anger started coming back to me, even stronger than when I saw Natalia with Nico.
We did our best, my Mom and I, to move on and live our lives anew, so why do those people have to enter our lives once again? Why do they have to stir trouble for us, why do they have to destroy the peace and disturb the new life my Mom and I did our best to build?
My heart aches, but this time around, I wouldn’t wallow myself into sorrow, it’s time for me to fight.
I guess that’s what love really does. It changes people. It drives people into feeling, thinking, and doing things they would never even imagine. Before all this, before falling in love with Nico, I was never this brave. I could still remember the time when those two witches visited us, I didn’t do anything, I couldn’t do anything, but at now, I was about to do something, even I think is crazy.
Whatever happens after my plan doesn’t really matter. You can say that I wasn’t thinking clear and straight anymore, but to me it didn’t matter. All I know is that I’m brave, and it’s all thanks to love.
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